Merryweather: I'd like to turn her into a fat ol'-hop toad
Fauna: Now, dear, that isn't a very nice thing to say.
Flora: Besides, we can't. You know our magic doesn't work that way.
Fauna: It can only do good, dear, to bring joy and happiness.
Merryweather: Well, *that* would make me happy.
-Sleeping Beauty
Design gurus and innovators often say that when creativity hits a low, turn to nature for inspiration. To add some accents to your home or wardrobe this month, June's super six turns to our friends in the plant and animal kingdoms.
1. Flora: succulents
The minute I laid eyes on the man and woman busts with cascading succulents (via Oh Joy!), it was love at first sight or shall I say first succulent? Succulents are the perfect low-maintenance but interesting houseplant for the anti-houseplant gal like myself. It seems that they have really grown in popularity in the last few years for their ease and interesting shapes. I especially love the combination of sleek white vases and succulents..it's just so Cali desert chic.
1) Male and Female Bust Vases
These vases with succulent hair pieces from Floral Art LA have gotten the spot light in Joy's blog, Anthology magazine and on HGTV's Secrets from a Stylist episode. If you're in the LA area, you can actually buy the vases with the succulents potted but if you order them online, you can create the look by potting your own succulents. See #3 for more on that.
2) For inspiration, a lovely succulent arrangement on Main Street in Fredericksburg, TX.
If you're ambitious and have the backyard space, try this DIY vertical wall of succulents.
3) My own little baby succulents
This easy DIY centerpiece currently sits on my dining room table. I picked up a few small succulent plants at Lowe's. The gentleman who was helping me kindly reminded me "if you can't keep these alive, you do not deserve to live" Challenge, accepted, sir. It has been about two weeks and the little guys seem to be doing okay. I planted them in a white ceramic pot, similar to this one in cactus soil. You just have to water (spray bottle suggested) every ten days or so.
2. Fauna: antlers
I would normally cringe at the thought of antlered friends for home decor, but I have to admit that after seeing them in all the home decor blogs, they can be quite kitchsy chic. Think less taxidermy fright above the fireplace and more animal-lover friendly, touches of blissful Bambi.
1) Brass touches
Vintage inspired brass pieces are perfect for adding some fauna (and metal) to a bookshelf like these antelope bookends from Pipe and Pepper. On the lookout for a slightly similar look for years, but not exactly bookends, I found the brass gazelle above (or maybe they are deer? I have to brush up on my antler shapes) at an antique store in downtown Plano.
2) Cardboard fun
There seems to be two schools of thoughts when it comes to these cardboard animal "trophies": a) crazy town or b) an unexplained love for the irony. I picked up a white Buck at Red (also available at ModCloth and Urban Outfitters) and have to say it's pretty eye-catching. (Ladies, if you are co-habitating with a boy, you can justify it by saying it adds a great masculine touch to your space). Made by e-tailer Cardboard Safari, the recycled cardboard pieces fit together like a puzzle and you can jazz them up since they are flat pieces with decorative paper (like the one pictured in the kitchen above). It's always cool to see how people have incorporated them into their homes via Apartment Therapy such as in the kitchen or as part of a bookshelf display.
For a similar look in a different medium, try this porcelain deer head .
3. Flora: colorful prints
Floral prints from the 90's have gotten an update for this summer with bold colors and breezy silhouettes. Some current favorites are the Winter Kate Roque Shrug, Zara skirt and Parker strapless dress. I picked up the skirt above from my local Zara and I have to say the online picture is slightly deceiving in a good way. The skirt is actually made of a heavy cotton, which keeps its shape nicely and the best part is: it has pockets.
4. Fauna: leopard feet
Animal prints can be a tad bold and scary in clothing, but I find footwear is always a great place to play it a little wild and on trend this summer. Pay homage to the one of the big cats, the leopard, with one of the three pictured above: Gap's animal print city flats, Cavala Cut Out Wedges and Sam Edelman's Grenna Gladiator flat sandals.
5. Flora: peonies
Peonies are just so pretty, is there really anything else to say? The blooms can be found year round (usually shipped from China and New Zealand) but late Spring-early Summer is locally peony season (which explains the popularity as June wedding flowers). Here's a great DIY centerpiece idea for your home or next celebration.
6. Fauna: owls
So, I tried to come up with something witty about how this is a wise choice for home decor or Mr. Owl will finally tell you how many licks it takes to to get to the center of a tootsie pop, but I couldn't. All, I have is if you're looking to break out of a boring porcelain vase rut, go avian. I'm partial to these white ceramic owls from West Elm and this fun umbrella holder (also available on sale here).
-SD
Love love succulents!!
Posted by: FlowerPower | June 15, 2011 at 09:50 PM
I def. don't understand the word "succulents" but have seen it. I like the owl vases. Also - I see jean shorts folded up at the hem. Is that really happening again? Excellent writing in this piece.
Posted by: amee | June 16, 2011 at 09:12 AM
Luved this post!! So many great ideas. The man and woman vase rock!! Can't wait to purchase for my home.
Posted by: punk gal | June 27, 2011 at 12:26 PM
Fantastic stuff, these are the article types that pave the way for budding bloggers. A great starter kit for times of writers block too.Nice resource Kim!
Posted by: jordan 14 candy cane | June 08, 2012 at 07:41 AM